Arts

River Singers begin 26th year of making music

WESTMINSTER WEST — The River Singers Community Choir is embarking on its 26th year of multigenerational and multicultural community singing. Led by Mary Cay Brass, this 90-voice group sings a dynamic cornucopia of soulful, thrilling songs of joy, hope, peace, and courage from many cultures.

This fall's lineup will include songs from Bosnia, South Africa, Rwanda, the Republic of Georgia, Bulgaria, and American Appalachian, civil rights, and gospel traditions.

The River Singers meet on Tuesdays, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., starting Sept. 19 at the Westminster West Church. The 12-week session costs $110 with scholarships available. As one choir member sums up the group feeling after each weekly rehearsal, “We limp in and leap out!”

There will be a special gospel workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 10, with the dynamic John Harrison, director of the Montpelier Gospel Choir.

The session will conclude with two rousing concerts on Dec. 9 and 10 at Next Stage in Putney.

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